A-pillar's missing handle! OBS 95-99

[cruizerman]

Hye guys!

Since I lifted my wife's tahoe, she has had trouble getting in easily, so I Bought a set of step bars and installed them, so that has helped alot. Now the only thing missing is an A pillar handle that is identical to the one on the passanger side A pillar.

Has anyone added one to the driver's side that looked factory? Does the 2500 / 3500 series trucks have the handle built in? I want to know If i can just head to the 'yard and grab a pillar w/ handle and drill it into my factory pillar post?

I know someone else here has had this issue come up! So help me out!

[cruizerman]

Any help guys?

[kenman1717]

i have only seen a hand full of obs trucks come with these, usually the more expensive higher option models at that.

[cordatta]

haven't seen them in an OBS however, seems to me that you could go to the junkyard to get what you needed. saw off the old bracket (its welded to the a-pillar) and get the grab handle with bolts. Mount the bracket to the drivers side and cut two holes for the handle to go through.

[99-2door]

No OBS trucks had a driver's side handle. You will have to add something.

[SlowS10]

i think thats a design from the factory with the thought in mind that if you are in a situation where the passenger has to grab the "OH SH*T!" handle, the driver should probably have their hands on the wheel instead. lol

[oldred95]

I know the Dodge Durangos had them on the drivers side A pillar so they felt there was a need for it. Go to the junk yard and get one and then order some blind rivet nuts and send a few my way so I can mount my oh snikey's handle on the passenger side cause mine is a 2wd and it doens't have the one up high.

[ikon]

why not just grab the steering wheel...

[oldred95]

why not just grab the steering wheel...
He makes a valid point.

[gudoldboy]

Grabbing the steering wheel to get in is a big No-No!!! Over time it will loosen up the tilt mechanism. I have seen it happen to the point they had to replace the column.. Kinda the same as leaning on the arm rest to get in, or turning your wheels when sitting still.. It just puts uneeded wear and tear on your truck..
Finding a handle at a junk yard and fabbing up the mounts sounds like the best option to me... I need to do that also..

[TigerEyz3]

For the record, OBS trucks didn't have a driver side a-pillar handle.

Use the door and the b-pillar. It works, not that I (6'2") or my wife (5'0") have any trouble getting in to our stock height Tahoe (even when it had a poor man's 1.5" lift (32x11.50x15 tires vs. factory 235/75/15 - 29"). If your wife can get to the running boards, there shouldn't be that much effort to get to the seat. Once on the running board, sitting down is just gravity.

[badbowtie_907]

I second the steering wheel idea. DONT DO IT! I did for a couple weeks and then my tilt section loosened up so I took it all apart to get to the torx head bolts and I tightened them up and that didnt solve it. Im swapping in another column tonight. Waste of $100 IMO. If only I knew better...